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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What refers to a tendency in contemporary culture characterized by the rejection of objective truth and global cultural narrative or meta-narrative?

2. When did Karl Baedeker institute a star system in his travel guides?

3. Established by Boorstin, what is the first way pseudo-events can overshadow real or spontaneous events?

4. How many cars were registered in the United States in 1900?

5. What term refers to an activity that exists for the sole purpose of the media publicity and serves little to no other function in real life?

Short Essay Questions

1. What subject does Boorstin address in Chapter 1 - Section V? How have pseudo-events distorted image?

2. What extravagant expectations does Boorstin assert consumes the American psyche?

3. What does Boorstin write can be mass-produced today, in Chapter 2 - Section I? Why?

4. What does Boorstin write of the changing nature of travel in Chapter 3?

5. What does Boorstin write of the American concept of "greatness," in Chapter 2 - Section I?

6. Who was Karl Baedeker? What did he pioneer?

7. How does Boorstin describe tourism in America in Chapter 3 - Section V?

8. How does Boorstin distinguish pseudo-events from propaganda?

9. What comparison does Boorstin make between celebrities and heroes in Chapter 2 - Section IV?

10. What does Boorstin write of the impact of the Graphic Revolution, in Chapter 1 - Section II?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How are stereotypes distinguished from pseudo-events and propaganda by Boorstin? Who does Boorstin cite in defining stereotype?

Essay Topic 2

What are the characteristics described of the pseudo-event in Chapter 1? Define each and give examples from the text.

Essay Topic 3

Describe the effect and influence of the development and publication of digests, such as "Reader's Digest." What does Boorstin conclude the effect was on literature?

(see the answer keys)

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